Melvin L. Dathe

Melvin L. Dathe, 85, of Lemont, IL, passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 after living with Alzheimer’s Disease for several years.  

From the outside, his might look like an ordinary life, but Mel’s life was rich beyond measure.  Together with his wife Gerry, he built a loving and devoted marriage of 64 years. He was an example of Christian values, love, honor, and respect for their 4 daughters, 8 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. 

After graduating from St. Rita High School, he received his electrician’s license from Washburne Trade School. He worked for Justice Electric for a number of years, and then bought and ran the business for another 20.  He was a hardworking, blue collar, union man. Chicago Southside through and through. Salt of the earth with a heart of gold.  

To say that Mel was talkative would be an understatement. Gerry used to say that in the morning, his mouth was going before his eyes were even open. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He loved a good laugh, and had a wicked and sarcastic sense of humor.  

Mel and Gerry created a home for their family where friends were always welcome. Their weekend home at Mel’s beloved Powers Lake, WI, was a gathering place for the ever-growing family where the aunts and uncles became “bonus parents” and cousins were raised like siblings.  A summer weekend might find 18 people sleeping in 3 small bedrooms, spending their days on the water and evenings around the dinner table. And more often than not, an after-dinner ice cream run to Adrian’s. Nothing made Mel happier than a full house and a boat filled with family. He especially loved getting first-timers up on skis and seeing the faces of his young grandkids light up when he would take them for a spin around the lake.  

He served his community by working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Daniel the Prophet Church, where he and Gerry were parishioners for 40 years. After retiring and moving to Wisconsin, he continued his charitable work with Love, Inc.  

Mel and Gerry were blessed with 20+ years of retirement and enjoyed their time traveling the world in between grandkids’ soccer and baseball games, band concerts, and recitals. Mel loved to golf and golfed nearly every weekend of his adult life. Of his many partners, his favorites were his sons-in-law and grandkids.  

Family was everything to Mel. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Marie, brother Don, and sister, Marilyn Kroll. Mel is survived by his loving wife, Gerry, daughters, Kathy (Mike) McKinley, Pat (Mark) Honings, Elaine (Russ Kroll) Dathe, and Gerrianne (Kevin) Hartman. Grandchildren Dan (Heather), Kyle (Laurie), Jill (Tyler), Andrew (Brianna), Danielle (Brandon), Jackie (Marcus), Emma, and Jonah. And great-grandchildren, Sophia, Maddie, Penny, Nova, Will, Josie, and Lainey. 

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at Franciscan Village in Lemont, IL on Saturday, August 30, 2025.  Visitation at 9:00 am in the chapel, followed by the Mass at 10:00. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Walk to End Alzheimer's or to Mel’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be appreciated.